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T20 Women’s County Cup (13)
The league of extraordinary proportions

The weird and wonderful world of the IPL

T20 cricket and private leagues have thrust the game into the future, but the IPL has also entertained us (or raised our eyebrows) in a pioneering manner. Overseas cheerleaders - here, at a launch dinner in Mumbai - were a jaw-dropping novelty in India in 2008, though you now see them on the sidelines of international matches as well.
T20 cricket and private leagues have thrust the game into the future, but the IPL has also entertained us (or raised our eyebrows) in a pioneering manner. Overseas cheerleaders - here, at a launch dinner in Mumbai - were a jaw-dropping novelty in India in 2008, though you now see them on the sidelines of international matches as well.•Chirag Wakaskar/IPL via Getty Images
Remember this trophy? Why did they change it? It was unique, if nothing else.
Remember this trophy? Why did they change it? It was unique, if nothing else.•Santosh Harhare/Hindustan Times via Getty Images
The IPL is single-handedly responsible for bringing 1980s pop back into fashion (maybe): Lionel Richie (in photo), UB40 and ABBA Revival performed at the launch of the 2010 edition.
The IPL is single-handedly responsible for bringing 1980s pop back into fashion (maybe): Lionel Richie (in photo), UB40 and ABBA Revival performed at the launch of the 2010 edition.•Ritam Banerjee/IPL via Getty Images
If your heart doesn't skip a beat every time Ravi Shastri bellowed 'Welcome Mumbaiii!' or 'Vanakkam Chennaiii', you're clearly dead inside.
If your heart doesn't skip a beat every time Ravi Shastri bellowed 'Welcome Mumbaiii!' or 'Vanakkam Chennaiii', you're clearly dead inside.•Daniel Berehulak/IPL via Getty Images
A fashion show at a party featuring cricketers - clearly it was an idea whose time had come.
A fashion show at a party featuring cricketers - clearly it was an idea whose time had come. •Vivek Shah/IPL via Getty Images
The line between organisers and team owners was so blurry that only government agencies with names like Enforcement Directorate could figure out who owned what.
The line between organisers and team owners was so blurry that only government agencies with names like Enforcement Directorate could figure out who owned what.•Yogan Shah/IPL via Getty Images
When we say the IPL has bling, we mean rap video-makers better watch out.
When we say the IPL has bling, we mean rap video-makers better watch out.•Tom Shaw/Getty Images
When the IPL began, most people thought Indian fans would never look past the national team to become fans of city-based franchises. But that was proved incorrect by the devoted following that Chennai Super Kings, and also Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians, have managed to develop over the years.
When the IPL began, most people thought Indian fans would never look past the national team to become fans of city-based franchises. But that was proved incorrect by the devoted following that Chennai Super Kings, and also Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians, have managed to develop over the years.•Matthew Lewis/IPL via Getty Images
The IPL has brought to us the thrilling sight of cricketers being bought and sold like cattle. Celebrity auctioneer Richard Madley is nearly as recognisable today as Chris Gayle. Sort of.
The IPL has brought to us the thrilling sight of cricketers being bought and sold like cattle. Celebrity auctioneer Richard Madley is nearly as recognisable today as Chris Gayle. Sort of.•Ritam Banerjee/Getty Images
Look Roman Abramovich, that's how you cheer for the team you own.
Look Roman Abramovich, that's how you cheer for the team you own.•Vivek Shah/IPL via Getty Images
How do you break the sense of déjà vu that comes from playing back-to-back matches and travelling endlessly from identical airports to hotel rooms to stadiums? By belly-dancing with movie stars, that's how.
How do you break the sense of déjà vu that comes from playing back-to-back matches and travelling endlessly from identical airports to hotel rooms to stadiums? By belly-dancing with movie stars, that's how.•Ritam Banerjee/IPL via Getty Images
The IPL has also given us examples of how not to run a family-owned business and how "enthusiastic" relatives can spoil a good thing.
The IPL has also given us examples of how not to run a family-owned business and how "enthusiastic" relatives can spoil a good thing.•Ritam Banerjee/IPL via Getty Images
The IPL also gave us a new subset of cricket fans - ones who enter our world for only one or two months a year to enjoy the sixes, the dancing and the glamour. One of their major complaints is how they are robbed of fun when the DJ turns off the music in the stadium at 10pm to abide by the curfew. Whether these fans will graduate towards one-day and Test cricket, as was once hoped, remains to be seen.
The IPL also gave us a new subset of cricket fans - ones who enter our world for only one or two months a year to enjoy the sixes, the dancing and the glamour. One of their major complaints is how they are robbed of fun when the DJ turns off the music in the stadium at 10pm to abide by the curfew. Whether these fans will graduate towards one-day and Test cricket, as was once hoped, remains to be seen.•Manpreet Romana/AFP